Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charlty Number NIC100619 01 April 2023- 31 March 2024 Our Objectives as stated in the Constitution for Upper Bann a. (i) To advance the education of the public and in particular the education of older people no longer in full time gainful employment in the Upper Bann area and the surrounding localTty. (li) To provide facilities for leisure time and recreational activities with the objert of improving the conditions of life for the above persons in the interests of their social welfare. This Trustee Report reflects the prevlous year In our organisation and is an opportunity to highlight our activities, to reflect on our achievements and any challenges we have faced as an organisation in the pursuit of the above Objects. A copy of the constitution is appended. In particular we will demonstrate: How our organisation is managed How our activities have met the public benefit requirement as a charity What we have achieved throughout the year and what these achievements have meant to our members What challenges we have met That our organisation is publicly accountable in terms of income and expenditure History and Organisation Structure of U3A The U3A originated in France where it was attached to a university. The UK model is different to the French modes in that U3As are not attached to any university, though may be linked. The Third Age Trust, based in London, is the National Representative body of the U3A and provides advi and assistance, subject advisors, workshops. summer schools and a magazine to members five times a year. There are more than 1000 U3As in the United Kingdom, and Upper Bann U3A is one of these. Each U3A is organised by a voluntary committee, whith is elected by the members. and Upper Bann U3A is organised and run in this way. The voluntary Management Committee and Executive officers are elected annually at the Annual Generdl Meeting. Upper Bann is bound by its constitution which, together with its Code of Conduct, Policy Documents and Membership Application Form, are available on our website: upperbannu3a.com. As Upper Bann U3A is a charity. its committee members are Trustees. Trustees monitor progress and activity Within the groups, assist Group Leaders in carrying out their duties and organise functions for the membership. Page1 of6 mac
Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charity Number NIC100619 01 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting, but can also be co-opted onto committee by the eletted Trustees to ensure cohesive management of the organisation. The following Trustees were elected or co-opted onto the committee of Upper Bann U3A at the AGM held on the 15th of May 2023: Alexandra Barr Madeline Heaney Heather Louden Trevor Hutton Arnold Hatch Paddy Haughian Audrey Carroll Janet Wright Chair Secretary Treasurer Membership Group Co-ordirbator Three new committee members were co-opted on the iith of March 2024 - Paula McAlindan, Gillian Stevenson and Bryan McLaughlin. In drawing up this report, the trustees of Upper Bann U3A have had regard to the document entitled CCNI PBRI The Public Benefit Requirement. which outlines charitable purposes and the public benefit resulting from these purposes. As defined by our objectives laid out in our Constitution, Upper Bann U3A purposes fall under three of the descriptions of charitable purposes in the Charities Act. The relevant charitable purposes are: 2. The advancement of education Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose: French, Spanish, Genealogyi Bridge, Book Club, Board Games, Chess, Poetry Appreciation, Genealogy, and Photography. 4. The advancement of health Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose: Walking groups, Cycling groups, Table Tennis, Yoga classes, Health and Well-Being Group. the annual summer barbecue and Christmas lunch. 6. The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose: Art, knitting, sewing, flower arranging, photography, talks at monthly Get-Togethers, twice monthly Sing Along, poetry, monthly Luncheon Club, occasional Theatre and Cinema Outlngs, occasional vlsits to Museums or Cycling Trips. mac Page 2of,6.
Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charity Number NIC100619 01 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 Our membership is open to all retlred or seml-retired people within the Upper Bann area, and our members attend a variety of Activity Groups. These Activity Groups are delivered within the framework of the objectives of the Upper Bann U3A and provide benefit to our members. In carrylng out attivlties we make every effort to ensure that our activities are beneficial and not hamiful. Most benefits are felt dirertly by members, but some Indirett benefit is gained through improvement in the health of the population. Any private benefit to individuals within the organisation is incidental, such as an increased knowledge from participation in group attivities. The benefits can be demonstrated by our Facebook page outllning group activitles, reporting at our AGM, and through our attendance registers taken at group meetings. Our Group Activities Policy Documents demonstrate that benefits are intended to be delivered in a safe, pleasant and supportive environment, so that everyone benefits from the activities, whilst experiencing the companionship of other members. These benefits are provlded within the framework of our organisation's principles.. The U3A Movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles: Membership of a U3A is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full-time employment has ceased. Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the posltive attributes of belonging to a U3A. Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a U3A can do so. Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members. No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards. There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all U3A members. Each U3A is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the U3A movement. No payments are made to members for services rendered to any U3A. Each U3A is self- funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible. Outslde financial assistance should only be sought If It does not imperll the integrity of the U3A movement. mac Page3of6
Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charity Number NIC100619 01 Aprll 2023 - 31 March 2024 Upper Bann U3A fornied in 2009 with around 25 members. The founding groups were Walkingi Bridge, Poetry, Art, Spanish, Monthly Get Togethers, and Luncheon Club, some of which stlll endure. When a member has an Interest or sklll that they wish to share they organlse an interest group and invite other members to participate. The Committee help new groups if needed, but many groups have evolved organically wlthout help. The key principle within the organisation is that all members are equal. Activities are carried out by members for the benefit of members. We come together in large and small groups for social interaction ar)d learning. Many members join U3A because of a desire to learn a new skill, or to take more exercise, but often become more involved as there Is great satisfaction In sharing knowledge and skills with likeminded people. Group Leaders give their services voluntarily, and members are only asked to Jointly cover any cost In renting the venue and any refreshments. Occasionally a specialist speaker or tutor may be required, and we have adopted a policy to cover the process of first seeklng unpald expertise withln the organlsation, followed by a procedure for appointlng paid expertise which is paid for by the members of the group. Bearing In mlnd the health and welfare of older people, Upper Bann U3A normally presents an array of activities that are of benefit to its members. Upper Bann nomially has over 20 Attivity Groups, many of whlch would normally meet weekly, some meetlng twlce monthly or monthly. We also have groups which meet on an ad-hoc basis. Group sizes vary widely from over 60 to under 10, depending on the level of interest in the activity. Most groups are open to all members, but some have to limit their numbers for safety reasons, such as yoga and cling. At 31 March 2024 there were 256 members in Upper Bann U3A, of which 187 were female and 67 were male. 176 were individual members, 75 were joint members and 5 were associate members. Upper Bann uses the Beacon Adminlstration System to contact all members who have access to email. Those who do not are contacted by telephone or letter. Upper Bann also has its own website and a Facebook page, advlsing on upcoming activities and outlngs. Over tlme, the way our groups are led and managed has changed and adapted. A number of models has evolved, such as sharing the role of Group Leader democratically from one meeting to the next, or managing a large group with a committee. Both these models demonstrate the collaborative nature of U3A groups, and how members can leam to take on new roles within the organisation. Members can benefit from the opportunity to partiapate not only in the group artivity, but from taking on a leadership or management role within the group. Where monies are collected for room hlre, refreshments and expenses it is also good practice to share the accounting within the group. In some groups members have gained sufficient skllls to be able to pass these on to others, so that learners have become educators. Upper Bann U3A does not own any premises so therefore rents out local venues, where necessary, for some of the activitles. The majority of these come under the auspices of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The Hub Community Centre is used for classes in Yoga, French, Poetry and monthly Get-togethers. Portadown Golf Club is the venue for Bridge and Sing Along. The Jethro Centre, Lurgan is also used for occasional classes. Our organlsation address is therefore the home address of the serving secretary. Page4of6
Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charlty Number NIC100619 01 April 2023- 31 March 2024 The maln challenges faced by the Upper Bann U3A are: Encouraging members to tske the lead in group actlvltles and to serve on the Commlttee as Trustees. Supporting Interest Groups Recrulting and retalning members Thls year we have been fortunate In that we have had three volunteers who were wllling to be co-opted onto the Commlttee and who wlll hopefully be elected In the May AGM. The Committee also made the decislon to appolnt Audrey Carroll as Group Co-ordlnator. Her role is to asslst in the start up of new groups, support and advise groups as and when required and improve communication between groups and the Committee. Group leaders are also supported through an annual lunch as a way of thanklng them for their contribution but also allows Information sharlng and exchange of Ideas. The Committee believes It is important to hold two events In the year which encourages as many members as possible to attend. A summer BBQ and quiz was held locally in Tannaghmore Gardens In July 2023 with over 80 people attendlng and Chrlstmas lunch was also well attended In Lurgan Golf Club in December 2023. Encouraging recruitment is an issue that the Third Age Trust is currently undertaking and the Upper Bann U3A is looking at ways that that we might be able to increase our membership. The Trustees have continued to have face-to-face commlttee meetings in the Brownlow Hub and Monthly Get Togethers for members are held in the Brownlow Hub. In the past year topics included Financial Plannlng, Dance, a musical presentation by the Sing Along Group, Table Tennls. Several new groups were started these Included Cyclingi Art, Sewlng and Photography. Several other groups, Tai Chi and Golf are currently at the planning stage. We have continued to monitor the NIDlrect and Thlrd Age Trust guidellnes to provide advice our groups and group leaders. Upper Bann's U3A source of income is the annual membershlp fee paid by each member, whlch is collected in March for the following year, commencing on 1st April 2022. Upper Bann members paid £12 membership fees. £8.44 of this is forwarded to the Third Age Trust. The Trust provides insurance, the Thlrd Age Matters magazlne and any help and assistance as required, Including natlonal tralnlng workshops. Other expendItU relates to expenses Incurred in managlng Upper Bann and In organlslng events whlch a open to the full membershlp, such as monthly Get-Togethers and the summer barbecue and Qulz. Each U3A activity group Is responslble for Independently ralslng sufflclent funds to carry out Its own activities, and these funds are levied from the group members. mac Page5of6
Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report Charlty NuMr NIC100619 01 Aprll 2023 - 31 March 2024 In 2023, Paddy Haughlan, group leader for the Monday walking group and the Wednesday and Friday tour groups was successful in a bid to the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. A grant of £IOOO was obtained and this was used to fund an outlng to Malahide for interested members from the above three groups. A statement of Income, Expenditure, Assets and Liabilities is attached. No funds held by Upper Bann U3A are materially in deficit. Alexandra Barr Chair Upper Bann u3A Signed: Dated: /s mac Page6of6